[🇮🇳] Indian Economy watch- All new developments.

[Krishna with Flute]

Indian Railways' first 9,000 HP electric locomotive engine inaugurated by PM Modi; unveils Dahod's loco workshop - Top facts​

Story by TOI Business Desk
• 3h•
2 min read

Indian Railways’ first 9,000 HP electric locomotive engine was unveiled by PM Narendra Modi in Dahod on Monday. PM Modi inaugurated the locomotive manufacturing shop at Dahod's rolling stock workshop. PM Modi was accompanied by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel.

Ad

CIO and CSO event sponsorship - IDC & Foundry Events 2025 - Global IT event sponsorship's

info.idc.com
Learn more

PM Modi is on a two-day tour of Gujarat on May 26 and 27, during which he will inaugurate multiple development initiatives in Dahod, Bhuj, and Gandhinagar. These projects, including significant Indian Railway undertakings and state government schemes, are collectively worth more than Rs 24,000 crore.

India’s first 9,000 HP locomotive & Dahod locomotive workshop: Top Things to Know​

• The Dahod locomotive manufacturing workshop's foundation stone was laid in 2022 and within a span of 3 years, this production facility stands completed.
• The Railway Ministry project has been built with an investment of Rs 21,405 crore.
• The 9,000 HP locomotive engine has been manufactured as part of the 'Make in India' programme, according to an official statement.

Indian Railways' first 9,000 HP electric locomotive engine inaugurated by PM Modi; unveils Dahod's loco workshop - Top facts

• The locomotive engines produced at this facility will be capable of transporting 4,600 tonnes of freight, with plans to manufacture roughly 1,200 engines within the next decade.
• The facility's manufacturing setup can produce 120 locomotives yearly, with the capability to increase output to 150 units per annum based on market requirements
• The facility is dedicated to manufacturing 9000 HP electric locomotives, serving both domestic requirements and export purpose
• These powerful engines will enhance the cargo-carrying capabilities of Indian Railways' network.

Indian Railways' first 9,000 HP electric locomotive engine inaugurated by PM Modi; unveils Dahod's loco workshop - Top facts

• The locomotives incorporate regenerative braking technology and feature energy-efficient designs, supporting eco-friendly railway operations.
• The Dahod railway production facility will generate employment for 10,000 individuals and stimulate the regional economy.

MSN

 

[Krishna with Flute]

Japan enters top five export markets for India-made cars​

Story by TOI Business Desk
• 3h•
2 min read

Japan enters top five export markets for India-made cars
NEW DELHI: Japan has become one of the top five destinations for Indian car exports for the first time in FY25, signaling growing global demand for vehicles manufactured in India, even from advanced markets.

Major Indian exporters like Suzuki Motor Corp and Honda Motor Co's local units are increasingly using India as a global production base.

According to commerce ministry data compiled by SIAM, car exports to Japan jumped to $616.45 million in the first nine months of FY25, up from $220.62 million in all of FY24.

Although official data for the March quarter is still awaited, industry sources expect exports to Japan to grow further, especially after Maruti Suzuki began shipping its Jimny SUV to the country in January.

"Over decades, we have built a base in quality, cost, efficiency and technology in car manufacturing. This has given us volumes and economies of scale," senior executive officer at Maruti Suzuki India, Rahul Bharti told the Economic Times.

He further noted that the company plans to export large number of e Vitara electric SUVs, produced in India, to European markets and Japan.

Japan, a significant automobile manufacturer and exporter, shipped 5.12 million vehicles in 2024.


Related video: India has become the world's 4th largest economy, surpassing Japan (Live Mint)

India has become the world's 4th largest economy, surpassing Japan


Honda Cars India exported 45,167 units of SUV Elevate, predominantly to Japan, surpassing its domestic sales of 22,321 units. Maruti Suzuki offers SUVs Fronx and Jimny in Japan.

Significantly, Suzuki temporarily suspended new Jimny five-door bookings due to overwhelming post-launch demand, receiving approximately 50,000 orders within four days in Japan.

"Indian OEMs have been not only expanding into key markets such as Africa and Latin America but are also beginning to enter developed markets (like Japan) with globally competitive models," Shailesh Chandra, president, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers said.

In the two-wheeler sector, Yamaha intends to begin exporting premium motorcycles to Japan soon. Itaru Otani, chairman, Yamaha Motor India Group, stated, "The sourcing cost, the labour cost, is quite low in India compared to other countries."

"We are exporting nearly a third of our output to 58 countries already. We started exports to Europe from India at the end of last year. The next step is to ship to other advanced markets like Japan and the US," Otani added.

India's automobile exports increased by 15% to 770,364 vehicles last fiscal year, significantly outperforming domestic sales growth of 2% at 4.3 million vehicles.

While compact passenger vehicles constitute over 27% of exports, measuring up to 4 metres in length and up to 1.4-litres, compact SUVs of similar dimensions are gaining prominence.

 

[Krishna with Flute]

‘Beginning of a transformative journey’: PM Narendra Modi says Indian airlines have placed orders for 2,000 aircraft​

16h•
2 min read

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the 81st IATA Annual General Meeting
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that Indian carriers have placed orders for over 2,000 new aircraft, hailing the rapid growth that the Indian aviation sector witnessed over the past decade.

Addressing the International Air Transport Association's (IATA) 81st Annual General Meeting (AGM) and the plenary session of the World Air Transport Summit (WATS), the Prime Minister said that the aviation sector in India is at an inflection point.



“Indian airlines have also placed orders for over 2,000 aircraft, marking just the beginning of a transformative journey. India's aviation sector is now at an inflection point, ready to soar to new heights,” he said.

“This journey will not only transcend geographical boundaries but also drive progress towards sustainability, promote green mobility, and ensure equitable access for all,” he added.

Unprecedented change​

PM Modi further pointed out the success of the Indian aviation sector, which has undergone an unprecedented change.

The last IATA AGM in India was held 42 years ago in 1983. The PM remarked that a lot has changed over these past four decades.

“In the last few years, India has witnessed an unprecedented transformation in the field of civil aviation. Today, India is the world's third-largest domestic aviation market,” he said.


Related video: Air India CEO Campbell Wilson On Airline's Grand Overhaul (Business Today)

“A lot has changed in India in these four decades. Today's India is more confident than ever before. In the global aviation ecosystem, we are not just a huge market but also a symbol of policy leadership, innovation and inclusive development,” Modi added.

UDAN success​

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also highlighted the success of the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme launched by his government in 2016 in order to make the aviation industry more accessible to the public.

“The success of the UDAN scheme is a golden chapter in Indian civil aviation. Under this scheme, more than 15 million travellers have availed affordable air travel,” he said.

India’s airlines continue to achieve double-digit growth, with 240 million passengers flying annually, surpassing the total population of most countries worldwide, he noted.

Modi said the projection is that by 2030, this number is expected to reach 500 million passengers.


Modi noted that India had only 74 operational airports in 2014, which has more than doubled to 162.

He invited global companies to invest in the country's fast-growing aviation sector, citing a streamlined regulatory framework, ease of compliance, and a simplified tax structure.

“India has become the third-largest domestic aviation market in the world,” he said.

MSN